Bidspirit auction | Rare! Historic Booklet on Controversial

Rare! Historic Booklet on Controversial Eiruv in France Parshas Ha’Ibur Amsterdam, 1734 * A small kuntres (booklet) of 24 leaves, containing teshuvos and halachic discussions concerning the eiruv in the city of Bayonne, France, by Rabbi Raphael Meldola, Rav of the local Jewish community and author of Shu”t Mayim Chaim. In the city of Bayonne, people had become accustomed to carry in the public domain without an eiruv. In order to prevent the public from transgressing the laws of Shabbos, the Av Beis Din made great efforts to find a permissible solution and he sent his proposal to the Rabbanim of Amsterdam. Although they initially raised objections, he responded with detailed clarification, after which they gave their approval. To clarify the question, the author elaborates on the city's structure, particularly the large bridge that divides its districts. On leaf 3b, he even designated a blank space for a printed illustration of the relevant area, but the illustration was never printed and the page remained empty. An exceptionally rare kuntres! Just three years after this kuntres was first printed, it was reprinted in Shu”t Mayim Chaim (simanim 34–38). At the beginning of those sections, the author’s son writes: “This is the sefer Parshas HaIbur, which was already printed in the year ‘Pischu She’arim’ [1734]. Because many rushed to acquire it and it is no longer to be found, and due to its rarity, I resolved to reprint it… I said, ‘It is a time to act for Hashem…’” The author, Rabbi Raphael ben Elazar Meldola (1685–1748), was from a distinguished rabbinic family in Livorno. His father served the Livorno community in an official rabbinic role for forty years. In his youth, Rabbi Rafael headed the Toras Ohr Yeshiva in Livorno. He later served in Pisa, and subsequently as Av Beis Din for twelve years in the Nefutzos Yehudah community of Bayonne, France, before returning to his hometown of Livorno. He authored Shu”t Mayim Rabim (Amsterdam 1737), which received important approbations, including one from Rabbi Elazar Rokeach, Av Beis Din of Amsterdam. His descendant was Rabbi David Meldola, Av Beis Din of the Sephardic community in London. Amsterdam 1734. Sole edition of this kuntres as a standalone publication. Page Count: 24 leaves. Size: 18.2 cm. Condition: Good; stains. Leather binding. Contents of the Kuntres: Leaf [2]: Dedication by Rabbi Raphael Meldola in Spanish to the leaders of the Nefutzos Yehudah community, where he served as Av Beis Din Leaves 3–8: Rabbi Raphael’s first letter to the Rabbanim of Amsterdam, outlining the question and his proposed solution Leaves 8–9: Letter of doubts and objections sent by the Amsterdam Rabbanim in response Leaves 9–12: Rabbi Raphael’s answer to the above objections Leaves 12–13: Agreement of the Amsterdam Rabbanim with Rabbi Raphael’s approach after his clarification Leaves 13–16: Critiques by Rabbi Shabsi Neawi of Livorno Leaves 16–24: Rabbi Raphael’s rebuttal to Rabbi Shabsi’s objections